The Hebrew word translated ―one‖ in the Shema, is echad (ekh-hahd‘). Space does not permit a full
exploration of this word; however, a brief reference is appropriate here:
―Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become
one (echad) flesh.‖ (Gen 2:24)This passage contains the very first use of the word echad in a context that does not denote a single item.
Rather, the context makes it apparent that the Hebrew language allows echad to be used to proclaim a unity
of at least two things as well as a single item.
- Love YHWH *
The second positive declaration of the Shema is that a true believer is to love YHWH. Y‘shua confirmed this
when He quoted the Shema to the scribe:
―(28) And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had
answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
(29) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is
one Lord:
(30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.‖ (Mark 12:28-30)
Believers are to have a deep abiding love for YHWH that surpasses their love for anyone or anything else.
YHWH must be put first and foremost in all things. But just how does one express their love for YHWH? Is it
by saying, ―I love you Lord?‖ Certainly there is nothing wrong with saying those particular words. In fact, if
you have never actually said them, you have missed a wonderful part of your relationship with your Father in
heaven. However, the Torah is a book of instruction, so surely YHWH must have instructed His children on
the proper way in which to express their love for Him.
The text from the Shema says that YHWH‘s people are to love Him with all of their heart, soul and might.
Y‘shua expands this instruction slightly by telling us to love YHWH with all of our heart, soul, mind and
strength.
Heart. The heart is the seat of all feelings and emotions. Therefore, one is to feel their love for YHWH
deeply, in an emotionally meaningful and righteous way.
Soul. Scripture teaches that the soul is really life itself. Man is a living soul (Gen 2:7), and the soul that sins
will die (Ezek 18:4, 20). Therefore, man is to love YHWH with his entire living self. This may include (but is
not limited to) his manner of speech and dress, and form of worship.
Mind. One‘s mind must be filled with an attitude of love toward YHWH. One way to do this is to spend as
much time as possible learning about the things of YHWH. Knowledge is a powerful tool in helping to
develop a relationship with the Father, if it is used in a proper manner. However, knowledge for the sake of
knowledge puffs up. Knowledge for the sake of developing a right relationship with YHWH edifies.
Strength. All of one‘s actions must be directed toward YHWH and His way of life. Man is to serve YHWH
with all of his being and all of his strength.
Man‘s love for YHWH must be absolutely unconditional. We must learn to love YHWH so much that our love
continues through both good times and bad, in times of great blessings as well as times of great suffering.
Love is characterised by one great quality: the willingness of a person to sacrifice for the good of another. In
terms of loving YHWH, this manifests itself through one‘s willingness to sanctify the name of YHWH no
matter what the cost. Never forget that many early Believers as well as many non-believing Jews have gone
to early graves because of their unwillingness to desecrate the name of YHWH before those who would
require them to do so.
* Teaching Others *The third great principle taught by the Shema is that one is to teach the ways of YHWH to others. We must
do everything in our power to honour YHWH as beloved, just and righteous in the sight of others, whether
they are Believers or not.
This begins with the teaching of our own children. The Word of YHWH needs to be so intimately bound up in
everyday life that we just cannot help but discuss these things with other people. Many of us do not have
children, or our children are grown up. But all of us have contact with other people, whether within the Body
of Messiah or without. If called upon, would you be able to teach the ways of YHWH to others?